OPD And BART Police Beef Up West Oakland Presence To Combat Robberies

OAKLAND (KCBS)— Oakland police have tallied an increase in street robberies over the past several months. BART Police and Oakland’s Police Department teamed up Thursday morning to hand out flyers on how to avoid being a robbery victim. The partnership includes tips on how to protect yourself.

Officer Johnna Watson, speaking from the MacArthur BART Station, said people distracted by their smartphones, tablets and laptops are targeted.

“This is a quick and easy turnaround sale for our suspects when these electronic devices are taken. They can be easily turned around and sold for ready cash.”

Even stolen cell phones that are deactivated can be overridden and the life of that phone then continues.

BART officer Era Jenkins said these types of crime occur at all times in many places.

KCBS’ Margie Shafer Reports:

“They are happening when people are actually leaving the stations as well,” Jenkins said, adding robberies occur on trains, parking lots and in bus zones.

One BART passenger said the suggestion to conceal what you have to steal is obvious and that a pamphlet wasn’t necessary.

Additional police patrols are out in robbery-targeted West Oakland areas.

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